Obituaries

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of our dad’s passing. William Artho Howell (Bill, Grandpa Bill) died on December 5th, 2024 at the age of 71. Bill was born to Walter Henry and Bertie Lenora Howell on 12/12/1952. He was the fifth of seven children, and loved telling stories about growing up with all his siblings. …

Fred Wesley Pruitt, age 72, of Three Rivers, passed away on December 5, 2024. He was born on December 28, 1951, in Indianapolis, and had been a resident of Three Rivers for the past 30 years. Fred retired from Three Rivers Hospital, where he worked as a cook, a job he loved. He had a passion for cooking and was …

Nelson L. Wooster, age 96, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Sparrow House Senior Living in Sturgis. He was born at home in Orland, Indiana, on January 4, 1929, son of the late Lester A. and Mary (Cecil) Wooster. Nelson resided in Sturgis since 1972, coming from Howe, Indiana. He was first married to Mary Lou McManus. …

Jerry Justin “JJ” Rial, age 35, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at his home. He was born September 6, 1989 in Sturgis, a son of Jerry and Holly (Penn) Rial.  JJ attended Nottawa and Sturgis schools, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. JJ worked at Basin Material Handling in Sturgis. He was a “jack-of-all-trades” and was …

Loran “Mike” Kane, age 90, of Burr Oak, passed away Friday afternoon, January 3, 2025, at the home of his son, Michael, in Coldwater. He was born March 18, 1934, in Sturgis, son of the late Harry and Stella (Sites) Kane. Mike was a lifelong Burr Oak resident and graduate of Burr Oak High School with the class of 1953. …

David Michael Ruth, age 21, of Constantine, died on Thursday, January 2, 2025. He was born May 7, 2003 in Three Rivers, a son of Bethany Handshoe and Bryan Ruth. David attended Centreville Public Schools through the 8th grade, then graduated from Constantine High School in 2021. He worked as a painter at STP Painting of White Pigeon. David was …

Paul Cassel Kline, dedicated husband, beloved father, and respected local leader and humanitarian of Mendon Township, died peacefully among family at 5 PM on Wednesday, January 1st, 2025, in Three Rivers. He was 97 years old and is survived by his wife of 71 years, Joyce Rose (Taylor) Kline, seven children, 19 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren, most of whom …

JoAnn (Gillette) Berna, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, January 2, 2024 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born April 15, 1935, in Bryan, Ohio, only child of Byron and Gertrude (Beamer) Collins. JoAnn resided in Sturgis since 1959, coming from Defiance, Ohio. On September 27, 1953, she married Clyde Gillette. This marriage ended in divorce. …

Christina Marie Bell, age 54, of Centreville, passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.  She was born March 15, 1970 in Vicksburg, a daughter of Brian and Paula (Sloan) Johnson. Chris graduated from Centreville High School in 1988, and studied Journalism at Kalamazoo Valley Community College for 2 years. She was a freelance sports journalist for …

Kenneth E. Schaeffer, age 91, of LaGrange, died on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at home. He was born February 20, 1933 in Sturgis, a son of Sydney and Pauline (Malone) Schaeffer. Ken attended school in Sturgis. Ken married Rosemary Trattles in June of 1951, they later divorced. On February 22, 1973 he married Shirley Mieras. She preceded him in death …